Medicare in Florida: 2026 Plans, Costs, and Enrollment Guide

Florida Medicare Snapshot

Florida is the largest Medicare Advantage market in the country by plan count — 590 plans from 28 carriers for 2026 (CMS CY2026 Landscape). The state's large retiree population, high MA penetration, and competitive insurer landscape make it one of the most active Medicare markets in the nation. MA plans are available in 67 of Florida's 68 counties.

The average consolidated MA premium across all Florida plans is just $3.86/month, with a median of $0 — the majority of Florida MA plans carry no monthly plan premium beyond the standard Medicare Part B premium ($202.90/month standard in 2026 per CMS). Average CMS star rating is 4.34 out of 5, well above the national average.

Plan Types Available in Florida

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans bundle your Part A, Part B, and usually Part D drug coverage into one private plan. In Florida, 590 MA plans are available for 2026 from 28 carriers (CMS CY2026 Landscape). Plan type mix: 200 HMO, 141 HMO D-SNP (dual-eligible special needs), 99 HMO C-SNP (chronic condition special needs), 74 PPO, and 35 HMO-POS, among others.

Florida has one of the nation's largest concentrations of Special Needs Plans, reflecting the state's large Medicaid dual-eligible and chronically ill populations. County availability ranges from 133 MA plans in Hillsborough County to 8 plans in Monroe County.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement)

Medigap works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. Florida has 25 Medigap carriers offering all 12 standardized plan letters. Plan G is the most comprehensive option available to new Medicare beneficiaries (Plan F is closed to new enrollees as of January 1, 2020 under MACRA — it remains available only to those who were Medicare-eligible before that date).

Florida does not have a state Birthday Rule. After your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, medical underwriting applies and coverage is not guaranteed. See our MA vs Medigap comparison →

Standalone Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)

Florida is CMS PDP Region 11 — Florida alone. For 2026, there are 10 standalone PDP plans from 5 carriers. Average total premium is $86.62/month (CMS CY2026 Landscape).

Costs in Florida

Medicare Advantage Premiums

The average consolidated MA premium in Florida is $3.86/month (CMS CY2026 Landscape). The median is $0, meaning the majority of Florida MA plans have no monthly plan premium beyond what you already pay for Medicare Part B ($202.90/month standard in 2026).

The top three carriers by plan count are Humana (83 plans), Devoted Health (76 plans), and Aetna Medicare (66 plans) (CMS CY2026 Landscape). Average star rating across rated plans is 4.34 — notably above the national average.

Medigap Premiums — Plan G and HDG

Medigap premiums vary by carrier, age, gender, tobacco use, and rating method (attained-age, issue-age, or community-rated). Across the 27 carriers offering Plan G in Florida (non-tobacco rates, ages 65–85), monthly premiums range from approximately $184 to $721/month (TPP internal data, CY2026; methodology: non-tobacco rates, ages 65–85, all carriers offering Plan G).

High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is offered by 11 Florida carriers; premiums range from approximately $282 to $651/month across ages 65–85, non-tobacco rates (TPP internal data, CY2026). HDG works well for beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection at a lower monthly cost and can absorb the $2,950 deductible (2026).

Part D Costs and the LIS Benchmark

For 2026, Florida Part D premiums average $86.62/month across 10 standalone PDP plans. The CMS Low Income Subsidy (LIS / Extra Help) benchmark premium for PDP Region 11 (Florida) is $4.82/month — the maximum CMS will subsidize toward a Part D premium for eligible low-income beneficiaries (CMS CY2026 Regional Rates and Benchmarks).

Florida-Specific Medicare Rules

Florida Medigap Protections

Florida follows standard federal Medigap rules. You have a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this guaranteed-issue window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health history.

After this window closes, medical underwriting applies and insurers can decline coverage or charge more based on your health. Florida does not have a Birthday Rule or any state-level guaranteed-issue protections beyond the federal standard. This makes it especially important to enroll in Medigap during your initial Open Enrollment Period.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)

Florida offers three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for Medicare costs:

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing. Highest assistance level.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part B premiums only.
• QI (Qualifying Individual): Also covers Part B premiums; subject to annual appropriations.

MSP eligibility is based on income and resources. Apply through the Florida Department of Children and Families or contact Florida SHINE (1-800-963-5337) for free enrollment assistance. MSP enrollment also automatically qualifies you for Extra Help / LIS on Part D. Learn more about MSPs →

Florida SHINE

Florida SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is Florida's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. SHINE provides free, unbiased counseling on all Medicare options. Counselors help with plan comparisons, enrollment, billing issues, and appeals — at no cost to beneficiaries.

Phone: 1-800-963-5337
Website: https://floridashine.org/

Enrolling in Medicare in Florida

Standard Enrollment Periods

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window centered on your 65th birthday month (3 months before, your birthday month, 3 months after). Enroll in Parts A and B at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
• Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7 each year. Change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for the following year.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 – March 31. Switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare once per year.
• Medigap Open Enrollment Period: 6-month window that starts the month you are both 65+ and enrolled in Part B. Guaranteed issue — insurers cannot deny you or charge more based on health history. After this window, medical underwriting applies (Florida has no state Birthday Rule).
• Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs):Available if you have qualifying life events such as losing employer coverage, moving out of your plan's service area, or qualifying for a low-income program. Learn more →

Florida SHINE Counseling

Florida SHINE counselors are available statewide — in person, by phone, and at community events. For free, one-on-one help comparing Medicare plans and navigating enrollment, contact SHINE at 1-800-963-5337 or visit https://floridashine.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions